At 12 years old, Lia Cho is three and a half apples tall, but already she has the potential to become one of the greatest figure skating athletes in Canadian history. In the industry, the name of the little Albertan is on everyone’s lips as the Canadian Championships open Tuesday in Laval.
• Also read: Mégane Vallières dreams of a podium at home
If Kaiya Ruiter and Madeline Schizas will in turn fuel the show in the company of Quebecer Sara-Maude Dupuis later in the week, figure skating fans could blame themselves, in a few years, for having shunned the women’s competition at the juniors.
Cho literally represents the new jewel of Skate Canada. Like Quebecer Joannie Rochette, in Vancouver in 2010, and Newfoundlander Kaetlyn Osmond, in Pyeongchang in 2018, she could one day climb on an Olympic podium. At this point, some may say: “I was there in 2025 in Laval when she was only 12 years old.”
“I have not yet seen her skate in person, but I have observed her in several videos and she is truly an exceptional little girl, a true figure skating prodigy,” describes Dupuis, “who will compete for her part among seniors in Laval. It’s crazy, because she broke Canadian junior records at the age of 12. Her scores would be very competitive at the senior level while she is still too young to compete at the junior level at the international level.”
At only 12 years old, young Albertan Lia Cho wowed during the Skate Canada Challenge on November 28, 2024, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
PHOTO DANIELLE EARL / SKATE CANADA
You must actually be 13 years old to participate in international events, a birthday that Cho will finally celebrate next August. From there, the entire planet will have the opportunity to discover it.
New Canadian record
Among his most recent exploits, Cho shattered Ruiter’s old national junior record with an overall score of 186.5 points in the fall at the Skate Canada Challenge in Winnipeg. For comparison, it should be mentioned that Ruiter was 15 years old in 2021, when she achieved a mark of 179.92, which was already very commendable.
“I’m very happy with my skating, but I think I could work […] my pirouettes,” Cho reacted, despite his gold medal acquired in Manitoba.
At this same national competition, Quebecer Mégane Vallières obtained third place with 141.14 points.
“Lia, she’s a competitor, but we don’t really count her anymore, she’s like in her own world,” commented Vallières, laughing. “The thing is, it never falls. I don’t remember seeing her make a mistake during a competition.”
“It’s a phenomenon of figure skating in Canada and we will have to follow it,” insisted Dupuis. “She will be one to watch in the future. She is a complete skater who jumps and does pirouettes in addition to having great skating skills. She is truly extraordinary!”
From Wednesday
To see it de visuit should be noted that the “short program” for junior level girls takes place this Wednesday at 3:40 p.m., while the “free program” will take place during the day on Friday.
Throughout the Canadian Championships, athletes will compete for places on the national team for the various World Championships. Provided, of course, that you are old enough to participate.
